Telephone-switchboard



A. F. F. GILSON- TELEPHONE SWITCHBOARD. APPLICATION FILED Die. 3, 1917.

Affy

Patented Fb.10,1920.

U I ED STATES AT c rt 1 a ALBERT r. F, ernscn, on cnos rna. n w snnsnmnssienoa To. wns rnani ntnc'rnic ooMr NY, mcoaroaarrnn, on new roan, N. Y., a coarona'rion or new YORK.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, ALBERT F. GILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Closter, in the county of'Bergen and Stateof New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone- Switchboards, offwhich the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact This invention relates to telephone switchboards and inoreparticularly to improvements in mounting devices to facilitate the fastening of key bases inkey shelves.

' It is frequently desirable to mount keys of this character either individually or in small numbers, which would not warrant the use of the usual supporting framework ordinarily employed for a plurality of keys. In such cases it is desirable to eliminate all special fitting in connection with the mounting of the particular keys, and to provide means whereby the usual variations, which occur in preparing the key shelf for the reception of the key base, may be disregarded.

In the case of keys which are provided with tops extending beyond the bases, it is the usual practice to recess the mounting surface to accommodate the key base only, while the overhanging portions of the key top rest on the mounting surface. In'such instances it is therefore necessary that'lthe recess be prepared for each key so mounted, in order that the key base may be properly seated therein without subjecting the key top to injurious strains whileqthe key'hase is being attached to the key shelf.

It is the object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device by any key of this character may be readily and safely mounted in any surface which has been prepared for a key of the same type without requiring any special fitting to overcome the usual variations in workmanship.

To attain this object in accordance with one feature of this invention, an adapter or mat is inserted between the key top and the mounting surface, which. mat relieves the key top from any injurious strains induced in attaching the key base to the key shelf.

These and other features not specifically mentioned above, will more clearly appear in the following specification and the annexed drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a of a key side elevation, partially in section,

Specification of Letters Katentdescription.

where- ,ratenteri neb'jio, 1920;

. Application filed December 3, 1917. Serial No. 205,10

of a common type mounted in a key shelf or'othermounting surface, and positioned therein by meansof a strain relief adapter embodying the invention; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of aportion of a key "shelf which has been prepared for the reception of a key base; and Fig. 3 shows a i I of the strain relief adapter or mat. V

In 1 of the accompanying drawing, l-is a key shelf or other mounting surface which has been provided with recesses 12 and 13 and'an opening 1% to accommodate a key of the usual type,comprising a framework 2 to which is attached a bank of contact springs 7,. actuated by a plunger 9, at-

tachedto a lever 8; the upper end of .the frame is attached to a base plate 3 on which is placed an overhanging key top 10 and attached to which are mounting posts 1- 11, by means of which posts the key is secured to the mounting surface through the cooperation of screws 6-6, which force the washers 5-5 against the underside of the key shelf 1. Between the key top 10 and the surface of key shelf 1, the mat or adapter 11 is inserted, the underside of the plate 3 resting in the saddle portions 15 and 16.

As shown in Fig. 2, the key shelf 1 is pre-' pared in the usual manner for mounting the key by providing therein opening 14:, offset at either end to permit the passage-of mounting posts 4- 1 and to provide ample bearing surfaces for washers 55. The usual recesses 12 and 13 for the key base are, however, deepened sufficiently to accommodate the key base 3 resting in the adapter shown in Fig. '3, which comprises a substantial rectangular mat 11, having a surface outline inclosing an area somewhat greater than that of the key top. 10 and provided with an opening for the key framework 2-. Such opening is bridged by the depressed saddle portions 15 and 16. offset for the mounting posts 4-4:, in which portions the key base 3 rests in such a manner that it is supported by means of'the overlapping portions of the mat 11 resting on the key shelf surface surrounding e opening 14; and recesses 12 and 13.

In practice the key shelf may be prepared as shown in Fig. 2 for a key of a particular type and the mat 11 so placed that the depressed saddle portions 15 and 16 extend into the opening 14 and the recesses 12 and 13, and with the outer portion thereof over:

perspective view lapping the key shelf surface surrounding.

such opening and recesses. The key may then be placed in position with each of the mounting posts 4% extending through an opening formed in each case by the opposi,-

7 tion of the offsets in one of the saddle por- It will be readily seen that if the saddle portions and 16 are depressed to the proper depth relative to the thickness of the base plate and if the depth of the recesses 12 and 13 is at, least suflicient to allow for the usual variations in workmanship, the base plate 3 will be so supported from the key shelf surface by the mat 11 that no stresses or strains introduced by the tightening of the mounting screws 6-6 will be transmitted to the key top 10.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for mounting a telephone switching key with an overhanging top in an apertured and recessed fiat key shelf, said device comprising a mat'having substantially the same peripheral contour and including a greater area than said key top and with portions adapted to overlap the key shelf surface surrounding such aperture and recess, and provided with an opening therein, such opening being bridged by a plurality of depressed saddle portions ex- "tending within such aperture and such recess for cooperating with-said overlapping portions to support said key in said key shelf.

2. Means for mounting in a' surface recessed to any greater depth an electrical device adapted for mounting in a surface recessed to a certain depth with an overhanging top thereof resting on the mounting sur face, said means comprising a substantially rectangular mat arranged to overlap the surface surrounding such recess to support such top above the surface and having an openingtherein, such opening being bridged by a plurality of depressed saddle portions for supporting said electrical device in such recess ofgreater depth.

3. A device for supporting electrical ap paratus within apertures of slightly varying dimensions in a mounting surface, comprisinga mat having a peripheral cont-our larger than'the largest aperture likely to be encountered, and provided with an opening for accommodating a portion of said apparatus, which opening is bridged by a plurality of depressed saddle portions affording a bearing for the said apparatus.

In witness whereof I hereunto. subscribe my name this th day of November, A. D. 1917. I

ALBERT F. F. GILSON. 

